The Feedback Exchange

Let’s keep this simple and not get bogged down in rules.. yawn. The only 3 things I will specify:

1) Just because you contact someone asking them to read your script doesn’t mean they HAVE TO. Similarly, if you don’t want to read for someone, be polite – send them an email and tell them, don’t ignore them.

2) If they read for you, you have to be prepared to read for them. Remember to say thanks for your feedback too!

If you find yourself on the receiving end of any of these violations by a reviewer, do let me know.

So:

If you want to use The Feedback Exchange, please leave your details in the comments section of THIS POST. This is just for ease of reference. If you have trouble leaving your details, don’t worry: send them to me and I will post them on here. Please don’t leave them on my Facebook page or tweet them, as I plan to link this post on the right hand side bar for people to access as and when they need to. (If the comments get very lengthy, I’ll make sure there is some kind of “round up”later to make it easier – let’s just see what happens, yeah?)

So my recommendations for leaving your details:

REAL NAME – not just your online handle, please. Just put your first name if you prefer

EXPERIENCE – ie. have you ever read any scripts for work placements or internships; are you a member of a site like Zoetrope; any other writing-related stuff of relevance: MAs in screenwriting, competition placings, options, that sort of thing. Don’t worry if you have nothing yet, there will be people in the same boat looking for others like you. This doesn’t mean less experienced writers *can’t* read for more experienced writers and vice versa, however.

INTERESTS – ALL SCRIPTS welcome, including shorts and online drama, etc. However, a couple of things to consider: if you love television and write television scripts, is swapping with people who watch only movies and write feature scripts a good idea? Only you can decide. Similarly, if you have strong preferences on genre and feel unable to deal with scripts of a particular genre you ABSOLUTELY HATE, please be upfront about this. Also, here is a good place to say things you are particularly looking for, ie. crime drama, science fiction, strong female characters, sparkling dialogue, the three acts, the 22 steps, etc.

EMAIL – I suggest using this sort of layout or similar to stop spam bots usernameATemailserviceproviderDOTcom, but please do it any way you like. Links to your own blog or social networking sites are welcome too, but please don’t take the mick and advertise your sites, posts etc too much here.

Let’s make this a comprehensive list of Bang2writers willing to do peer review! Looking forward to seeing it build up over the coming weeks, months and hopefully – years.

Happy reading!

Like this post? Then please check out my books, HERE and share on your social media profiles. Happy writing!

Experience: short film producer (and writer and director and boom operator and grip and safety diver and caterer), script consultant (as yet uncredited), Bang2Write sycophant, international athlete, occasional TriggerStreet reviewer. (Lucy has had experience of my own ubiquitous feedback style – I leave it to her to decide if I should be inflicted on others.)

Interests: More experience of reading film (short or feature) over TV/ongoing drama or radio but happy to read anything.

EXPERIENCE – co-wrote a sitcom pilot that was developed by the comedy unit, have written material for BBC topical comedy radio shows. Wrote a short film script that was mentioned by MovieScope that is now in very early pre production. Did coverage on a feature film treatment which is going through film council funding. Irregular reviewer on triggerstreet.

INTERESTS – Very wide – always interested in a variety of scripts. Particularly fond of romance stories and comedies. I've personally worked on scripts ranging from soft sci-fi feature to procedural TV drama.

Experience: Recently completed MA in Scriptwriting at the University of East Anglia. Currently working as a researcher / writer on a new documentary series with a company in London. Done a little script reading in the past for a London-based film company.

Experience: One screenplay commission, another screenplay was optioned and won a place on a development scheme. I also worked for a couple of companies giving detailed feedback reports to writers, after training as a reader at the Script Factory.

Interests: Anything and everything. Most of my experience is with features, but am keen to hone my skills (writing and feedback) with Radio, shorts and TV drama.

Experience: Producer at Disney, then Sony, reading; writing for foreign director, commercials director, currently working on two projects for two foreign directors, one of them in English; some journalist experience, cartoonist as well, in small publications.

Hi…I'm Charlie Burrows and have been 71 years old since 3rd Feb 2010. I've had some success with radio comedy submissions and good personal feedback from BBC writers room. Having been a member of Robin Kelly's Scriptreader site for a few years now, I've learned from Robin and others about scriptreading and have also given constructive feedback. My main interest is in the comedy writing side of things.

Read under PO3 rules for others. Did Euroscript training in script reading.BA Film and Media at Birkbeck.Script editor for 0110. Sold a short script. Currently writing a feature horror, stage play and a time travel short to be shot this summer.

Don't forget I'll post your details for you if you can't access Blogger for any reason. Here's the first:

Name: Damian Trasler

Experience : Theatrical script reader for three years(note: I read scripts for theatre, not read scripts in a theatrical fashion…) and I completed the Script Factory's "Reading Scripts for TV" course in 2008.

EXPERIENCE – currently on an English degree with a high creative writing aspect (script writing, prose and some poetry). Advanced story structure, character development etc. 3rd Year Creative Writing Portfolio – feature screenplay being submitted instead of dissertation project. Good knowledge on some historical periods (mainly Victorian, Shakespeare, 1914-1948 and Ancient Greece and Rome)

INTERESTS – Very interested in reading TV scripts but also full features and shorts for that matter. Specialise in action stories, so would prefer those. That said, also a fan of the horror, sci-fi, fantasy, war genres. Up for anything and everything!

EXPERIENCE – Writers Factory course and MA Screenwriting at Screen Academy Scotland – lots of workshopping etc. Have read and been paid for some reports while interning at BBC and indies. Also been having trials for some soap related stuff as well as writing a comedy feature with experienced writer, which has interest, fingers crossed. Work in factual development so always surrounded by narratives and intersting characters!

INTERESTS – Best to come to me with comedy/drama TV, features – comedy, chick flick, romance, coming of age, horror that doesn't take itself seriously (e.g. Zombieland) I'm very strong with 18-34 audience for TV so feel free to pass along your BBC3/ITV2 as that's what I work in everyday, high school scandal and mainstream culture is my specialist subject. Nothing too cerebral or really scary and no sci-fi, I won't even watch Avatar so you get the idea.

Experience: Done various courses including the Script Factory reading course and MetLab. Have done script reports for a few small production companies. As a wannabe writer myself I often swap scripts with other friends and strongly believe it's a fantastic way to gain ideas and confidence for the next draft.

Interests: Mainly interested in genre features, especially sci-fi or thriller, but happy to take on anything!

Hi, Tom Lassu here. I am a Hungarian-American writer/director, actor, film community activist, event organizer and ex-teacher. MA in music, read scripts all the time, currently not for $$.

EXPERIENCE – Recently completed Hal Croasmun’s Pro Series (22), a six month scriptwriting course (Screenwritingu.com). Also took workshops by Robert McKee, John Truby, Syd Field, Michael Hauge, Linda Seger and others. I lead the New York chapter of the International Institute for Film Financing for about a year and organized film financing workshops. Founder-manager of The Film Synergy Group (filmsynergy.com).

INTERESTS – most movie (feature) scripts, drama, action, etc. Not very fond of horror or beginners. Love indies and writers who get past the dream and make/co-produce their own movie. Also looking for capable collaborators on both sides of the pond.

I regard the three acts, the 22 steps, the 7 steps, the Archplot, the Miniplot, the Antiplot, the hero's journey, the anti hero, etc. as useful POV-s that the writers should adopt for a time while working on each and every project.

Name: Gareth MorganExperience: First Class BA Hons in Drama, University of Bristol.Assistant Director internship, Bristol Old Vic 2009.Production Supervisor on Exposures and Studio Scripts festivals at the University of Bristol.Member of the script reading team for Manchester Royal Exchange, West Yorkshire Playhouse and Nottingham Playhouse.Professional theatre translator, adapter and dramaturg having worked for Bristol Old Vic, Nottingham Playhouse and director Jonathan Munby.Interests: Theatre (especially translation and adaptation work)E-mail: gm6016@gmail.com

Experience: Written a few shorts and one feature (on last draft so some feedback would be useful). Crewed on short films and a BBC TV Film for BBC4. Done a number of courses including BBC Scriptreading course and some euroscript ones. Read all the usual books, blogs, mags etc. And done reviews on Triggerstreet.

Interests: Features, poss TV. Just about any genre but I'm most interested in historical, action, fanstasy and sci-fi – anything escapist! Not keen on comedy or rom-coms.

I'd be happy to review scripts and practice being tactful at the same time. I've had ashort film shortlisted, one feature optioned and a couple of seminars under mybelt so far. Any genre for film or TV. Know nothing about radio plays, sad to say. Would definately want you to return the favour though. Susan. drummajor@blueyonder.co.uk

Experience: Self published a novella (The Magpie's Lament: blindsided). My first spec script is ready for sale: READ ME – thriller. Currently writing another horror for Script Frenzy challenge which will become my second spec: BUBBLE-BUTT & THE MUTANT ZOMBIE MASH-UP. Have 2 further scripts planned for 2010 then 3 scripts in 2011.

A radio producer, I've done a fair bit of script-reading experience, for both the BBC, Granada and others. I'm also one year into an MA Screenwriting course at Royal Holloway University and am busy working on a portfolio of stuff.

I've become kind of addicted to reading scripts, so I'm happy to read anything.

Experience: Theatre – Marlowe Society / Royal Shakespeare Company Other Prize Winner, Finalist in Old Vic Young Voices 24 Hr Plays, and have script-read for Shakespeare's Globe. Am currently developing an interest in television and have a worked a little bit as a freelance script reader, and have a couple of my own spec scripts under my belt.

Experience: BA (2:1) in Television Production, Written & Directed my own 30 minute short and several industry work placements inc. Waterloo Road story team. Certified TV Drama Addict.

Interests: Keen to read any scripts; feature or TV. Particularly enjoy serialized drama as opposed to procedural formats and greatly enjoy adult, real-world stories. Welcome anybody though who wants to take advantage of my own inflated sense of opinion.

Experience: Limited, when I was at college I won a Cheshire Screenwriting contest which was made into an animated feature, I was briefly invoved with a British Youth Film being created by South Cheshire College however I had to leave the project due to personal issues and unfortunately I never made my way back into it. Since having my daughter I have reignited my script writing. I have many scripts all at varied stages of completion.

Interests: Many things, I have to admit that I am not particularly fond of period dramas but aside from that, I'm happy to ready anything! I am personally on the look out for a potential writing partner if anyone is looking for something similar….:)

Experience: A short film I wrote and directed was shown at the Cannes Film Festival in 2009. Have also worked for various production companies and have experience reading feature films and television scripts.

Interests: Any genre, any format (tv, features, short)

Look forward to swapping scripts with people! Have some exciting things I;m working on that I;d like feedback for.

Experience: Little. I am currently doing an English & Creative Writing degree (the bulk of the Creative Writing being Screenwriting), and regularly attend screenwriting workshops.

Interests: I like writing all kinds of things, and am happy to read all-kinds, though I imagine I would be awful with horror.

Mail: k.lally@2008.ljmu.ac.uk erDOTcom, but please do it any way you like. Links to your own blog or social networking sites are welcome too, but please don't take the mick and advertise your sites, posts etc too much here.

Let's make this a comprehensive list of Bang2writers willing to do peer review! Looking forward to seeing it build up over the coming weeks, months and hopefully – years.

So me – novelist and TV scriptwriter – wrote The Book of the Still for BBC's Doctor Who range – Twenty odd drama scripts produced for Doctors, Casualty and The Bill as well as comedy for Radio and a couple of straight to video films, currently commissioned to write a series of children's books for a UK Publisher and have several TV series at various stages of development.

Experience: Former sportswriter. Been scriptwriting for four years now. I was selected for Screenlab in 2009, and have had positive feedback from BBC Writersroom on several scripts. No formal experience of script reading, but I often do it for friends and think I'm open and insightful.

Interests: Mainly feature film and hour-long comedy/drama; not so much short films and sitcoms. Genre-wise, as long as it's not grim and kitchen-sinky, I'm in. Genre subversion is particularly welcome.

Experience: Over a decade in the industry. I've written for shorts and commercials, just completed second draft on my first feature (after about 8 years of unfinished feature scripts). I've worked professionally as a producer, production manager and director.

Experience: Over a decade in the industry. I've written for shorts, commercials, theatre, and just completed early draft of a feature script. I've worked professionally as a producer, production manager and director.

Experience; Development producer by trade. Five years TV development most recently, and experience in feature sales, finance and production before that. Read for the Weinstein Company, BBC Drama, WestEnd Films, Kudos, now running freelance development services.

Interests; hour-long TV and features a specialty, but will look at all material with a writer's intention in mind. Email for details…

Experience: Executive produced and developed around 24 UK Film Council Digital Shorts (read 1000s of short film scripts); Written four shorts that have been funded and produced. Trained through Sources2, First Film as script consultant. Writing third feature.

Interests: genre (science fiction, thriller) – quite interested in the modern western. Happy to read shorts, features including pitch documents for treatments.

Experience: have had a couple of short stories published and one broadcast on local radio. Started scriptwriting more recently but first script was longlisted for BBC Comedy's Laughing Stock competition, second script was shortlisted for a NI Screen/BBC 'Primetime' competition for 1hr TV drama. Have an episode of half hour TV drama under option with a production company.Currently working on a requested spec script for Ireland's No1 soap opera.

Looking for feedback / offering critique on primarily TV and radio drama and also currently writing a low-budget feature. I will be detailed, honest but constructive in all feedback exchanges.

Experience: have had a couple of short stories published and one broadcast on local radio. Started scriptwriting more recently but first script was longlisted for BBC Conedy's Laughing Stock competition, second was shortlisted for a NI screen/BBC 'Primetime' competition for 1hr TV drama. Have an episode of half hour TV drama under option with a prodco. Currently writing low-budget feature script for competition.

Looking for feedback / offering critique on primarily TV and radio drama but will read anything. I will be detailed, honest but constructive in all feedback exchanges.

Experience: Been writing for film and television for a year now. In that time, I have written two short films which I filmedalong with three other shorts that are complete; one high budget concept for TV and one high budget concept feature film.

Currently working on a feature film for an independant project company.

Experience: Little to none. I have completed a Masters Degree in English Literature and currently work in a publishing house so have experience reading unsolicited submissions.

Interests:I am happy to read anything. The broader the scope the better as I want to gain as much experience as possible. I am particularly interested in TV, especially any dramas that are character focussed.

Experience: Little to none. I have completed a Masters Degree in English Literature and currently work in a publishing house so have experience reading unsolicited submissions.

Interests:I am happy to read anything. The broader the scope the better as I want to gain as much experience as possible. I am particularly interested in TV, especially any dramas that are character focussed.